Post by CkRtech on Nov 30, 2004 22:39:12 GMT -5
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v518/tfreviews1/sound1.jpg)
Uncharismatic.
Soundwave has a pretty decent fan base among the Transformers community. His character in the cartoon was a complete antithesis to that of Starscream – a character who had blind loyalty to Megatron. “As you command, Megatron” became a trademarked phrase during those sacred pre-movie seasons of the original Transformers.
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v518/tfreviews1/sound2.jpg)
The Soundwave toy was very near excellent. While every rose has its thorn, Soundwave was an absolute gem. The transformation and proportions of the toy were great. The gimmick that his tapes could be put in the cassette deck removed and transformed into other Decepticons was loads of fun. Technically, you could almost make the argument that Soundwave was the first “combiner” of sorts as the cassettes could be purchased separately and used in conjunction with Soundwave himself.
I never had a Soundwave as a kid. I had a few cassettes though. I think I wanted a Soundwave a little too late in the Transformer line – The movie characters were hitting the shelves at that time.
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v518/tfreviews1/sound5.jpg)
Toy Facts:
Feet, legs, arms, hands, cassette door, head, weapons, and stickers – you name it…the Soundwave toy had it, and it matched the cartoon in brilliant fashion. The dude’s weapons could actually fit inside the “battery compartment” in his back.
He came with a cassette so the gimmick could immediately come into play (no pun intended). The cassette’s name was Buzzsaw. Errr….who? Yeah. Exactly. While Buzzsaw was used for an extremely small amount of time in the cartoon, Laserbeak took the primary role of Decepticon spy. "But…but…Laserbeak is sold separately, and I want one!!" Hasbro pulled a “genius” with that marketing ploy.
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v518/tfreviews1/Buzzsaw006.jpg)
Soundwave has metal in his feet. This was an excellent place to have the die cast metal as his feet served as anchors for a top-heavy Deception. Chrome was used across the front of the deck as well as for the eject button. Chrome was also used on the missiles which could be inserted in his gun. The head was above average size for the other Transformer toys that year, and this allowed for more detail in the face – Not that he needed much. That cold, hard, practically eyeless stare was enough already.
His articulation is amazing! For the first year (and many other years), the Transformers all were cool in that they could Transform – however most lacked the ability to move their respective limbs while in robot mode. Not only can Soundwave transform, but he has elbow joints, shoulder joints, ball joints in the hips, reversed knee joints, and full 360 degree head movement. He is one of the only few “standard size” Transformers which can be posed.
Disappointments:
Of the original Soundwaves and Casettemans, a very small percentage of them still have a working cassette door. This is apparently a pretty easy thing to break. I have tried to fix one before with a few random parts. I was missing a small key part and therefore couldn't fix it. Soundwave has a very fragile-looking inside, and associating the word fragile with a children's toy is a shameful thing to have to do. Unfortunately, this can be done with many a Transformer from the earlier years.
While the fact that his feet are metal which helps keep him anchored, he is still pretty top-heavy. This can be fixed by placing an actual battery in his "battery compartment" on his back. Soundwave should stand and stand tall. Just don't forget about that battery or you will have leakage all over his insides over time.
All in all, with the exception of the cassette door, I cannot think of anything that is very disappointing about Soundwave. His toy is definitely a great representation of the cartoon personality. Apparently, it was decided that the cartoon Soundwave didn't really need to have any major design changes from the toy itself.
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v518/tfreviews1/sound3.jpg)
Collecting Soundwave:
Well, obviously you would want to check him to make sure the cassette door works properly. If this does not bother you, then you might be able to acquire a Soundwave relatively cheap. Take advantage of this if you can. Check to make sure the cassette door doesn't have any cracks in it. The painted gold trim around the door should look clean and evenly painted. (Don't let somebody try to sell you a Soundwave they have repainted)
The hips and the joints at the hips could possibly have been damaged from excessive transformation. Check to make sure there are no holes on any side of the top of his legs.
Sometimes the head joint (the "neck" if you will) goes through too much stress and breaks. Make sure the head transforms easily and has not had any glue work done.
There is chrome on the weapons and on the buttons for his cassette deck. Check those out.
There is no G2 incarnation of Soundwave.
The copyright on Soundwave is somewhere. His rubsign is located at the top center of his cassette deck.
Accessories - Again, check the chrome on the weapons. There are no ultra expensive accessories for Soundwave, but missing all of them will cost a little bit.
Note: Buzzsaw came with Soundwave. Don't let somebody tell you that they are selling you a complete Soundwave if Buzzsaw and his two weapons are not included. As Buzzsaw just barely appeared in the cartoon and Laserbeak (a character of the same mold) was heavily used, I have no biographical information for Buzzsaw.
All the same, check Buzzsaw's beak for everything - make sure that it isn't loose, make sure the eyes are still on it and check the Decepticon sticker on the beak. Every part of Buzzsaw can be loose. Check all joints.
Soundwave is a must have.
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v518/tfreviews1/sound4.jpg)
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v518/tfreviews1/buzzsaw.jpg)